*Swathi Pov*

"What is wrong with you? Are you having tooth ache?" I asked him the moment entering the house to which he glared at me.

"No!" he replied and continued to walk towards the room.

"Then why were you gritting your teeth?" I asked, frowning to which he just took his clothes and moved towards the washroom.

"Nope! I am not going to let you ignore me when yesterday you were breathing on my neck." I said following him and he groaned.

"I am already tired and need to freshen up. So, don't irritate me." He warned.

"Why don't you use your power of winning yesterday's bet and ask me to back off?" I asked, wishing he did that by which I need not have to worry thinking what he will ask of me.

"So, this is your plan?" he asked, smirking and suddenly held my wrist.

"What are you doing?" I asked, but he dragged me into the washroom.

"Irritate me all you want to." He replied and closed the door before moving towards the shower.

"Don't stop on my account and I will just have my shower to save the time." He added and placed his clothes on the hanger before moving to remove his shirt.

"Do you expect I will shriek with shyness and run away?" I asked him raising my eyebrow.

"From you? Never!" he replied and completely removed his shirt before moving towards his trousers.

"Scared?" I asked when he stopped and he glared at me.

"Of course! You are used to seeing all models do it, then why would I be any different." His comment suddenly made me stiffen.

"And before you go screaming, I am disrespecting you, I was talking about how you have to make sure the clothes are fit and all those things." He added before I can react seeing my reaction.

Within seconds the anger reaction of mine converted into shock and then settled for smug one understanding what toothache he had today.

"Why? Jealous and you?" I asked, moving near to him and stood before him.

"Why? Does bodyguards have a rule not to?" he asked and pushed me to the wall when I gave an innocent shrug.

"Ouch!" I mumbled, feeling the impact of his force on my back.

"Are you hurt?" he suddenly asked and I shook my head.

"Now, what are you saying?" he asked, placing his hands on my hips while I controlled my reaction giving him a blank look.

"What do you want me to say?" I asked back moving my hands over his chest and trailed them down and up to which he shuddered.

"Swathi!" he warned, but I was having too much fun seeing his expression.

"You are a witch." He said moving his hand to brush my lips with his fingers.

"I wouldn't be that sophisticated about myself." I said and he laughed, pulling me in his arms before kissing me.

"Enough!" I said, pushing him away smiling.

"Bear your punishment." He said, pulling me back.

"Very nice punishment." I said teasingly and he smirked before turning the shower and this time I shrieked.

"Stupid!" I mumbled pushing my hair away from my face while he tugged my overcoat before removing it.

"James!" I whispered and he nodded, staring at me while I stared back.

"Yeah?" he asked, lifting my shirt, but I held his hands.

"We shouldn't be doing any of this." I replied and he nodded again.

"Then what are you doing here?" he asked, moving his hands up ignoring my hands but stood back.

"I am giving a break and it depends on your presence here in the next second whether I should continue this or not. But I will not stop again." He said and that sure made me leave the washroom in a rush leaving his laughing form.

"That was fun, wasn't it?" his voice made me twirl around from the cupboard where I was lost in my thoughts staring at the clothes but thinking about the rush within.

"Yeah! Like I had with my male models today." With that reply I slammed the washroom door after keeping my silence reaching towards it.

"Running away?" I taunted him when I realized he is going to go for some duty, he does every time he doesn't want to stay here.

"Who wants to stay with a person who has double standards?" he taunted back and I frowned moving near to him.

"What?" I asked him frowning.

"You can do anything but give blunt reactions when I so as talk to a woman." He replied and I shook my head.

"You don't know how many opportunities I let go, but if you are okay enjoying yourself, then I will do the same." His threat made me fume at him before moving my hand to hold his hair when he covered his collar.

However, he moved his hand to hold my hair, making both of us stand very close because of each other.

"If I so as see you with any woman stepping out of your line before the divorce, then trust me, you will never I mean never will be able to touch me." I repeated my warning I already gave before.

"And if I see that, then I will lock you here in this house so that no one will ever be able to touch you." His words made me pause in my anger.

"What?" I asked, to which he shrugged and I laughed.

"You are so cute." I said and he immediately scowled.

"I am not!" he said, tugging my hair, making my chin lift.

"So, deal?" I asked and he nodded.

"Let us close it." Saying that he pressed his lips to mine and I smiled beneath his before kissing him back moving my other hand around his neck pulling him to me.

"Now, I will be going." He said moving back.

"But why?" I asked him frowning.

"Be careful, Swathi! Otherwise, I will start thinking you will be missing my presence beside you." To his comment I hit his shoulder.

"I have some work to do." He said smiling.

"You know, sometimes... actually most of the times I don't think you as a bodyguard only. You act as if you are something else." I said shaking my head.

"I am a bodyguard." He said, but I shook my head and sat on the bed after he left before lying on my back.

"Work is over?" I asked sleepily when I felt his presence behind me.

"Yes!" he replied and silence consumed us, but I don't know why I turned around before hugging him making him stun, but I ignored his reaction by drifting off into sleep.

I glanced at Maha and Nakul to see both of them living in their own world, having subtle glances here and there. It's been three days since I felt this confusion inside regarding him.

However, seeing the behavior of Maha I can be sure she is falling for Nakul. But how can she do that? Is it that easy? I thought, frowning, but then shook my head before glancing at James to see him already staring at me.

He gave a questioning glance, but I shook my head before turning to stare at Maha to see she is very happy. Is it what happens if you let go of everything and live in the present?

"What happened to you? You seem to be lost." He commented later when we were lying on the bed with me snuggling in his hold like every day.

"Nothing!" I replied frowning.

What can I tell him when I feel so lost myself? I thought playing with his shirt button and moved my hand to play with his beard which grew recently.

"I need to shave it but I will not have time." He mumbled.

"On a weekend?" I asked him snorting.

"Look, I will be out of station this weekend. You just make sure stay at home or take someone with you if you are going anywhere." His reply made me sit up.

"And when are you going?" I asked him frowning.

"Tomorrow early morning." He replied and I frowned more.

"You are telling me now?" I asked, punching on his stomach to which eh groaned.

"Why? Will you miss me?" he asked, but I kept silence to which he tugged my hand making me fall over him.

"I have decided what to ask you as my winning bet." He said staring at him.

"Oh god!" I mumbled dreading it.

"You know, I always thought marriage will cause headaches." He suddenly said and I raised my eyebrows.

"And now?" I asked him to which he smiled.

"They definitely do cause the headaches and even migraines." He replied and I gave him a disbelief look.

"At least you don't have to suffer being tied to a person like you." I said shrugging and he smiled.

"Anyhow, I feel like I kind of got used to these headaches and don't want them to stop." He said with a serious expression.

"I don't understand!" I mumbled frowning.

"Will it be too bad to give this unexpected event a true chance?" he asked and I froze right that moment.

"I know! We never dated and didn't pass through a few stages before reaching this marriage point. And too much chaos occurred, but still I don't think we both are actually suffering. So, what say?" he continued.

"What do you want me to say?" I asked and he smiled.

"I am not asking or expecting you to say sure, but as a winner of the bet, I am asking you to think about this proposition honestly without any bias." He replied and I blinked at him.

"Is it too bad to think of yourself as a wife of some bodyguard?" he suddenly asked and I huffed.

"Oh please! I just said too many stupid things and by the way Dad and I planned to get you a job in our company after you know taking revenge on Nakul when your marriage got planned with Maha." I said remembering it.

"And as far as I can see you work hard and you are like a boss yourself with some team and all. If it is about money, then I have enough of it. I actually don't care about this profession of yours or any background thing." I added and he smirked.

"Truth to be told I am glad you are just this because god I can't bear this behavior of pompous which comes along with richness in some guys." I said shrugging.

"So, you will give it a fair thinking?" he asked ignoring my words.

"Okay! But don't expect a positive result." I pointed out and he nodded.

"It's fair enough for me." He mumbled and hugged me before drifting off into sleep, but I lay awake for some time already thinking about the prospect but then let the sleep consume me.

*Maheshwari Pov*

I stood staring at him while he was busy washing the plates suddenly feeling guilty for doing something soon which he will not know.

I kind of understood the James reason of not telling him, but now everything feels silly and I just want to open my mouth and tell him.

"What is it?" he asked, not even glancing at me.

"What will you do if someone deceive you?" I asked and he was washing his hands right that moment finishing the work.

"Never talk to them normally again and become distant like completely distant." He replied, shrugging and turned to look at me.

"Why?" he asked and I shook my head not wishing to do something behind James back when he always goes out of his box to help Nakul and me.

"Why don't we spend the whole tomorrow together? We will go for some drive and eat out." He asked later when we were lying on the bed.

"Uhmm... can I tell my views about it tomorrow?" I asked and he nodded smiling.

"Come here!" he mumbled placing his arm on the bed between us and as usual, I rolled over to place my head on his shoulder while he places the hand around me.

I stayed awake while he slowly drifted off into sleep and I just stared at his face in silence. He is quite handsome like I observed that day except for his too many reactions for a small wound which made me feel he is a silly guy.

Now, he doesn't seem to be a silly guy and somehow he seems to be more than a handsome face. I trailed his cheek slowly not wishing for him to wake up and moved my finger to his eyebrows biting my lip to be careful.

I moved the other hand to move his hair away from his forehead and smiled at his pleasant face. Actually, for the past few days he has this pleasant expression, even during day time.

What are you doing to me? I asked him in my head and groaned in silence. He doesn't know how it will end if everything goes as he wishes.

I drifted off into sleep, but woke up after some time to see there is still time to get up and get ready. However, I slowly untangled myself from him before moving away.

I took out the sticky notes and pen I brought with me while coming to this room. I glanced at his face before writing my first note.

'Good morning!' I wrote it and plastered it on the headboard.

'All I ask is, trust me and your friend. We are not doing anything wrong, okay? We have a little work to do and will return soon when we finish it. Just wish me luck because I need this work to succeed based on which a few people's happiness is stuck.' I sighed and got down from the bed before sticking it on the mirror in the room.

I got ready without making much sound before returning to the room before moving to his side. I bent pressing a kiss to his forehead and took the sticky note, I plastered to the headboard before placing it on his forehead stifling a laugh.

"Wrote the note?" James asked when I walked out of the house.

"Yeah!" I replied, nodding.

"I already told him yesterday that I am going out of station for work. So, I didn't lie to him." He suddenly said and I gasped.

"It means I will be the villain?" I asked him frowning.

"It means I am confident he will not get angry at you, but I am not sure about the same regarding me." He replied but I sighed shaking my head.

"I want to finish this soon and return back soon." I said and we both took a cab to reach the airport.

"Want to freshen up?" he asked, but I shook my head.

"No! We will wait somewhere or you can go and freshen up. But where?" I asked him frowning.

"I booked a room in the same hotel he is staying." He replied.

"He is staying in a hotel? Who is funding him? I mean, isn't he far away from his patients and all." I mumbled and he nodded understanding my questions.

"He will be here within half an hour for breakfast." He said and I nodded at him not wishing to say anything.

Nakul must have woken up by now and must be reading the note. Is he mad? Angry? Hurt? I thought, feeling my stomach churning inside.

"Excuse me? Can I talk to you?" I asked, walking near to the doctor when James nodded and I can see his men a little away but James is near with his back to us.

"Sure!" the man replied and I can see he is kind of old but not too old.

He gestured the seat before him and I took it giving him an awkward smile. I cleared my throat not knowing what to talk.

"I know you are a psychiatrist." I started and he frowned.

"Okay! Is someone ill and need help?" he asked and I shook my head and then nodded.

"Are you a doctor who follow their ethics strictly?" I asked and he nodded frowning.

"Okay! Will you try to help to save a human being?" I asked not wanting to lose my hope.

"My husband... he... he was being called as a murderer for an incident fourteen years ago by my family. Can you come and tell them it is not true and that it is his Mom who did it?" I asked him and he stiffened.

"Please! Our both happiness depends on it. Otherwise, we both will be separated and we love each other for past so many months and can't live apart. If you do this favor, you will be saving two people's lives." I said, pleading him and let a few tears flow.

"Actually three!" I said, placing a hand on my stomach and heard a set of coughs but ignored them.

"Nakul Singh?" he asked and I nodded brushing my tears away.

"Sure! Let's go!" he said, nodding and I felt relief but it short lived when someone sat beside me.

"You can try in the acting field." The comment made me turn to the intruder and stiffen looking at him.

"What is this three you were talking about? Pregnant? Really?" he asked and I immediately looked around for help to see James standing a little away with shocked look.

"Is she really your wife?" the doctor asked and the man beside me nodded.

"How are you, Uncle? I heard you were troubling my wife and friend for the past few weeks." Nakul commented.

"You know him? Uncle?" I asked him and he nodded.

"How did you reach here so fast?" I asked again and he glanced at me with a blank expression.

"We will talk later." He replied and turned his attention to the doctor.

"Please, give me some answers. I am hearing the accusations that I am the reason behind some accident and my Mom's death along with someone else. James believes you have the answers to make those accusations fail. It is not that serious like life and death situation like my wife here prompted but it is important for the smooth flow of my life." Nakul asked him and the doctor sighed.

"You are not the reason for the accident." Doctor said with confidence and I closed my eyes taking a deep breath.

"Then why didn't you come with James team to tell the same before the people you were asked to." Nakul asked and I can hear the confusion.

"Because I was threatened." This reply made me glance up to stare at the doctor in shock.

"Who?" I asked him and he gave me a glance before staring at Nakul.

"Your grandfather!" this reply just met with complete silence.

"No! I don't believe that." Nakul said, shaking his head.

"He doesn't know about your wedding I think. But all he knew was someone is trying to dig up something which caused a huge scandal for your family all those years back and he doesn't want it to be done. Mainly he didn't want you to think about the accident." He explained.

"Why?" I asked him and he sighed.

"Because it caused a bad effect for him and he used to have lapses even thinking about the incident. So, with my help we made him kind of block the incident. He was worried about Nakul's health." Doctor replied and I nodded.

"He gets these nightmares." I whispered and he nodded understandingly.

"Yes! Closed spaces or fire and some other things cause them and also headaches. They reduced eventually, but never disappeared." He said and glanced at Nakul.

"They stopped recently from two weeks completely." Nakul said and I glanced at him surprised because I didn't think about that.

"Everything can't be cured by a professional. Some things need their tending by something on their own or anything specific." That's the statement he got.

"Will you tell this near my family?" I asked him, but he shook his head.

"I was worried about his life along with yours and accepted it thinking the old man will leave me for that reason but now I can't. I respect him too much to go against his wishes." He said standing up.

"You said he was threatening." I pointed out.

"Maybe, but I am loyal to him for the help he did because of which I was able to afford my studies and reach this stage in the first place. And listen to me both of you along with that man who is behind me. It is best if you leave all this. I said what is true and leave off what others think." He said and I stayed silent.

"The Guptha's right?" he added and I nodded to which he nodded back before walking away while I sighed.

"What were you doing here, Nakul? He was so ready to come with us and you destroyed it. Now, how will her family realize their mistake?" James asked showing his anger.

"I don't care what they think about me when I don't even remember the incident. And I am her family now. Leave all this and tell me this stunt of yours involving my wife and bringing her here without telling me." Nakul asked showing his anger.

"Please!" I whispered, placing my hand on his but he took his hand away.

"You put yourself in danger coming here. I am going to fire that team of mine." James huffed in irritation.

"Look, my Grandpa wants to hide this and I trust his judgement. I am asking both of you to let all this go. The important people in my life know the truth and that is enough for me." Saying that Nakul stood up and walked out of the restaurant.

"Is he going to leave this matter this simply? Is it too silly for him?" I asked James frowning.

"Don't worry! I will talk to him." He replied, but his expression suddenly turned to suspicious one.

"What were you thinking, Maha?" James suddenly asked and I glanced at him frowning.

"Why to do all that act? You were supposed to just say that he needs to tell the truth before your family and that's all." He explained.

"Did it work in the past few weeks? Or did mine worked nearly?" I asked, standing up and started walking away while he followed me.

"How does he know we are here?" I asked him frowning.

"Someone from my team must have told him. But the problem is how could he reach here so fast." James replied frowning.

"We will ask him." I said and he nodded before we both walked near Nakul standing beside a cab.

We both stood before him folding our arms while he gave us an irritated look. He just sat in the car and we both sat with James in the passenger seat while I sat in the back seat.

"Hey!" I said, tapping his shoulder, but he just ignored him and I ignored him back looking out of the window.

Somehow, we three managed to get the tickets and waited for sometime in airport in complete silence before boarding the plane.

James called someone to receive us when we reached the destination and that's all the sound I heard until we reached the house.

"Well?" James and I asked, not moving an inch standing before Nakul not letting him walk away.

"We didn't want to create a scene so we kept quiet. Now, tell us how did you reach there so soon?" James asked him frowning.

"Shouldn't I be angry at you both? I mean, my wife ran away from the house with her ex-boyfriend. I should be lashing at you both." Nakul replied, folding his arms and I glanced to my side to see Di walking out of the house with a frown.

"Do it!" I said, ignoring her and glanced back at him with a challenged look and he suddenly smiled.

"If I wished to I would have done it a few days back only." He said, smirking and I stared at him frowning before my eyes widened.

"You heard! You heard my conversation." I accused him and he gave a small bow.

"Guilty!" he said and I immediately started thinking how guilty I felt for hiding it from him and how sad I had to feel.

"James! I understand your concern and I would have if you had explained all this in the beginning itself. And many times I knew I shouldn't be angry at you for being her ex-boyfriend because I was for that more than anything. But then realized it is not your fault in the middle. Because if I had told you in the beginning that I fell in love with this girl and told her name, then I felt you wouldn't have dated her." He started saying looking at her.

"But..." James started which he waved off.

"I know! But this was my mindset until I knew the truth. Now, knowing you went this hard way to protect me, will I ever think bad before turning the matter a few times in my head? Next time, just don't hide it." He said smiling and James nodded smiling.

"And you! That was a cute note you left and why would I still think bad about you when every bad I thought about you before truth because disgustingly false?" he asked caressing my cheek.

"Yeah! That's why he said he doesn't love you anymore one day." James prompted and Nakul stilled before glaring at him.

"You!" Nakul shouted and pushed him back while James laughed.

"Anyway, I need to explain all this to my wife." Saying that James walked away while I walked into the house ignoring Nakul.

I even reached my room, but he held my wrist before dragging me to his room not wishing to miss his bulldozer trait for sure.

"Mad?" he asked making me sit on the bed and he sat beside me.

"I was worried you would feel sad and you know hurt and maybe angry and all during these days and mainly these few hours before I left." I replied honestly.

"Yeah! I felt your thoughts when you were trailing your fingers on my face." He teased and I gasped.

"You are the one who will have a good career in acting field." I said, pushing his hand away from mine before crossing my legs and folded my arms.

"I thought it was too cute, but will be happy if you do it when I was not acting sleep and awake." He said smiling but I ignored him.

"So, you don't love me?" I asked and he groaned.

"That was me being overtaken by jealousy and thoughts. Like I said ignore the things I said before." He replied and I looked away.

"Can I ask you something?" he suddenly mumbled the words in a serious tone making me glance at him to see a serious face.

"Don't hide anything from me. My parents and my Grandpa too always hid everything and always kept me away. I don't want you to do the same. It is not a good feeling." He said and I never thought we can feel pain, hearing someone else but that moment I know I am feeling it.

"You are hurt about today's event." I said and he nodded.

"Not much! Maybe because again, I found out another matter which my Grandpa wishes to keep me away from. I mean threatening a doctor." He said, shaking his head.

"Come here!" I suddenly said using his common words before opening my arms and he smiled before falling in my arms hugging me tightly.

"You understand, right?" he asked and I nodded rubbing his back.

He moved his head to stare at me and I stared back at him before moving my head to peck his lips before moving back in shock while he grinned.

"Not bad! But try better next time." Saying that he moved to lay on the bed before placing his head on my lap before hugging me at my waist.

"I missed my sleep." He whispered and closed his eyes.

I stared at him before moving my fingers through his hair, making him sigh to which I smiled and continued to do it for some time hoping never to hurt him even unintentionally if possible because I know it somehow will hurt me which is totally weird but at the same time normal inside.

--------------------------------------------

here it is... i know not much revealing but hey who is good and who is bad... *thinking* *thinking*

how is the chap???

comment plz and vote...